Russel Blake, NDVR Partner

Endorsement

"As the Author of "Proverbs 31: The Virtuous Black Woman Volume 1", I've begun a three volume series to begin the think tank discussion of how we as an intellectual Village can perceptively seek to Empower, Honor, Uplift, Support and Positively Embrace the Women of our community in a spiritually affirmative way. Volumes II and III are respectively titled "Proverbs 31: The Virtuous Woman", to make inclusive Women of all communities tied by the common bond of being equally deserving and acknowledged for their unique existence and contribution to humanity.

My work has received glowing support from First Lady Michelle Obama and endorsements from Poetess Emeritus Maya Angelou, Political Strategist Donna Brazile, Jazz Icon Randy Weston, Actress Kim Coles, Jazz Icon Sonny Rollins, Spelman College President Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, et al; My work is currently being deliberated and considered as an addition to the Women's Studies Curriculum at Duke University Chapel Hill. It has also garnered the five star rating of numerous nationally recognized book clubs as well as the favorable critiques and recommendations from noted journalists and book reviewers across the country.

For these and other notable items of recognition I as an Author am eternally grateful, and as such have diligently been circumspect and conscious to whom and what I will align my name to. Thus, I can think of no entity of whom I am both humbled and most proud to vigorously assert my name in endorsement than the National Domestic Violence Registry. NDVR is a preventive cure to the pervasive cancer of domestic violence in our society. Education provides protection. The NDVR database is the most sophisticated and intelligent tool available for individuals to circumvent the deceptive cloak of an abuser, through the light of knowledge technology will reveal of their history.

The motto say's it all: "Our Knowledge Helps Saves Lives"

I wholeheartedly support and endorse The National Domestic Violence Registry.

~Russel Blake

Bio

Over the past 3 decades, Russel Blake has established himself as a professional musician, concert soloist, educator, and author. He carries on the musical legacy of his father, Latin musical great Alexander Blake, and his brother, world renowned jazz bassist, Alex Blake. At the foundation of all of his success is Russel’s impeccable composition, theoretical and musical arrangement skills; all of which are self-taught.

Black Woman Rising Video

Inspired from his book Proverbs 31: The Virtuous Black Woman, this song bears a message of empowerment and encouragement for the Black Woman. Black women face the highest domestic violence rates in the United States compared to any of their counterparts.* *Ref: http://www.idvaac.org

As a public speaker, Mr. Blake eloquently conveys a message of personal empowerment and all-encompassing hope. In a remarkably refined manner he captivated crowds, young and old, by condensing his wealth of musical knowledge, his spiritual resolve, and a genuine love for humanity into a series of inspiring and insightful lecture topics. To date, he has shared his talents in 65 countries, on five continents, held the title of ‘Adjunct Professor’ at five universities across the country where he has shared his creation, “The Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program” with a variety of audiences from Elementary through High School, Colleges and Universities, Senior Centers, Prisons, Hospitals and Military Installations about the history of Music.

Russel Blake currently holds over 432 pieces within his repertoire encompassing Classical, Spanish Classical, Traditional Jazz, Brazilian, Opera, Latin & Blues music idioms. He performs works from Mozart, Beethoven, Segovia, Albeniz, Cole Porter, Gershwin, Monk, Jobim, Stevie Wonder & Elton John.

Mr. Blake has earned the opportunity to accompany and record with several music giants such as Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, Hugh Masakela, Cybil Shepherd, Chaka Khan, Harry Belafonte, El Gran Combo, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and has enjoyed playing as the exclusive bassist for The Lion King, Dreamgirls, Angie Stone, Brenda Russell, Mary Mary, to name a few.

Among his highest achievements was his appointment by the U.S. State Department to perform as an Ambassador of Goodwill to Eight West African Nation’s, and was also contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense to lecture on the symbiotic nature of Science and Music for DARPA’s (Defense Advanced Research Agency) International Conference.

Most recently, Russel Blake authored Proverbs 31: The Virtuous Black Woman Volume 1, in which he communicates the precious and priceless value of Black Women, the right for all women to be treated with unwavering respect and dignity, and the seeds of reverence to be sown by virtue of changing perception one community at a time.

To learn more about Russel Blake, his music, and book, visit website at www.russelblake.net.